Anyone voting early?

[Gucci65]

Tried to vote during lunch today, but when I got there I was told it was 1 1/2 hrs wait. I only have 1 hr for lunch and used 20 to drive to & from the polling place. They close at 5, which is what time I get off work. I will try again Thursday, if not then next Tuesday will be just as good.

 

[Figment1986]

wow... people love viting early.. Perhaps i should voice my opinion, since this si my first election and go down to the government center near me and vote wed... when i have time after school...

 

[Woody13]

My voting precinct was destroyed by hurricane Ivan as were several others in my area. The Supervisor of Elections combined several precincts into one BIG precinct. In order to avoid the crowds, I voted absentee this year.:wave:

 

[imagineer99]

Since I'm at school, I had to vote absentee. This is my first presidential election I get to participate in.

I must say though, it hasn't been a very thrilling experience. Neither side really impressed me. I was tempted to vote for either Mickey Mouse, SirNim, Grizz, or Conan O'brien.

For some reason, I don't think that would've been too worth while...

 

[GoofyFan1]

I voted on Saturday. I won't get political here, I just felt that since a certain party had complained until they got numerous early polling places opened (which still aren't enough for them) and one was only a couple of blocks from my house, I might as well take advantage of it.

It also made it possible for my husband and I to go to the polls together for the first time since 1976.

I don't understand this early voting phenomenon. When did this start and why? In NY you have to be registered by a certain date and you vote on election day or give up your first born to prove you need an absentee ballot.

 

[DDuckFan130]

My parents and I voted on Saturday. We got there like half an hour before they closed and were out within the hour. On November 2, I have a test in one of my classes and we didn't want to wait forever in the lines so we got it over with already. My first presidential election woo :lol:.

 

[Figment1986]

They started this in FLA due to the problem 4 years ago... and the fact these machines we use now may be better if used over time and not on one day.....

(it helps us forget hanging chads, butterfly ballet, and popular vote.... :lookaroun )

 

[Woody13]

They started this in FLA due to the problem 4 years ago... and the fact these machines we use now may be better if used over time and not on one day.....

(it helps us forget hanging chads, butterfly ballet, and popular vote.... :lookaroun )

Voting machines in Florida are not standardized. Each county decides which method/or machine they desire to use.

 

[Legacy]

I actually voted a few weeks ago. I have to do absentee voting though... thus the military life. But it is strangely satisfying to not have to really listen to the debates or commercials anymore...

 

[TravisMT81]

I will just vote on November 2nd because they place I go vote is within walking distance to my house. All these early voting places are not close to me.

 

[Tim G]

I voted today, 'cause I'm out of the country in November...

 

[Debbie]

Voting early allows you to bypass Election Day lines. Most places that have it encourage it.

Debbie, I didn't know you could work in a different precinct than the one you were registered. But since I have lived in Louisiana, nothing there political surprises me.

I'll be working the polls that day. Since June 1, our county has had 15,000+ people register to vote. It's gonna be a busy day.

There is such a shortage of commissioners; that I was assigned to the school across the street from my house. The precinct that I vote in is one mile away . I really enjoy my spot across the street as I know all of my fellow commissioners and the ladies at my table are SO nice! It's a long day (start at 5:30), for $100.00, but the payoff is being able to do something civic that I enjoy, I get to see alot of my old customers, and it breaks the monotony of the other job I have. When I get home at 9m; I'm never tired!

 

[TURKEY]

Voting machines in Florida are not standardized. Each county decides which method/or machine they desire to use.

I got to play fill in the bubble with an ink pen.

Of course, this is after standing in line while a man was trying to feed his sample ballot into the machine instead of filling out an official ballot.

 

[JackSkellington]

Yes I am going to vote early. Due to school and work I don't have any time to vote.

 

[The Mom]

I got to play fill in the bubble with an ink pen.

Of course, this is after standing in line while a man was trying to feed his sample ballot into the machine instead of filling out an official ballot.

:lol: Why am I not surprised?

 

[Tim G]

Voting machines in Florida are not standardized. Each county decides which method/or machine they desire to use.

But the new ones are VERY easy to use...

 

[Woody13]

Yep, that's just like the machines our county uses!:sohappy:

 

[Lee]

I voted today, 'cause I'm out of the country in November...

Oooohhhh....on business?

Anyway, my voting place is just down the street here. I'm actually looking forward to voting on election day for my first Florida vote...kinda historical.

 

[MKCustodial]

Did the US send anyone down here to check our voting machines? There were authorities from many places, it seems ours is the safest and most advanced voting equipment there is (which comes as a HUGE surprise for me, I'll tell ya). But it sure is faster, more simple and much more secure than the old paper method.

That's why it amazes to see the US with so many different methods; paper, big bulky machines, punch cards and so on. You'd think you guys would be top of the line on something like this.

By the way, here's a pic of the thing:

 

[Tramp]

Here in Fairfield County, Connecticut, we've used the same machines for as long as I remember. In fact, the machines go back to the 1920s. They're a simple gear and lever machine. These are the machines that you walk into, move a red handle to the left which closes drapes behind you and resets the machine. You move 'yes or no' levers' over each candidate or referendum issue. In a "vote for one" contest, only one lever may be turned; the remaining levers for competing candidates for that particular office are locked in place when any one is turned down.

Quite a few years ago, they did away with the "Party" lever which allowed someone to pull a single lever and a vote would be cast for anyone in that particular party. That prevents candidates from being elected on the coattails of the major candidate.

As far as I know, we've never had a major problem in any of our districts. Yes, there have been isolated incidents of mechanical breakdowns but have never experienced the events of Florida 2000.